Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!
Chapter 343: Hinamori’s Illusion

Chapter 343: Hinamori’s Illusion

Tessai began. "I first met Captain Ailin a hundred years ago, during the Hollowfication incident. At the time, I didn’t think much of him, or any of the other captains, for that matter. The Kidō Corps isn’t part of the Gotei 13. We’re an independent organization, established centuries ago. While we answer to the Captain-Commander, we operate differently."

He continued, "Our second encounter was... less pleasant. He was the one who apprehended Urahara and me. While I was distressed by the treatment of my subordinates, I was also... awestruck by his power. It was... inconceivable. To be honest, I was terrified. I even suspected that he might be stronger than Captain-Commander Yamamoto." A few beads of sweat trickled down Tessai’s face.

Yoruichi and Urahara remained impassive, but Ichigo and Uryū were stunned. They knew Ailin was strong, but they hadn’t realized he was considered stronger than Yamamoto, the "Strongest Shinigami," even by someone of Tessai’s caliber. While they didn’t fully grasp the extent of Yamamoto’s power, his title wasn’t just for show.

"I apologize, Ichigo, Uryū. I don’t know much about Captain Ailin personally. My knowledge is limited to his... capabilities."

"This has been very helpful," Ichigo said, grateful for the information. While Yoruichi and Tessai’s accounts were limited, they had confirmed that Ailin was a force to be reckoned with, potentially even surpassing Yamamoto.

Ichigo turned to Urahara. He hoped the shopkeeper could offer more insight.

"Ichigo," Urahara said, his eyes narrowed, "I’m curious. Unless someone threatens those close to you, you rarely show any... fighting spirit. And a Shinigami, without fighting spirit or killing intent, cannot unleash their full potential. So, why are you asking about Captain Ailin? Do you intend to fight him?"

The Soul Society was a world powered by souls. Even the Zanpakutō, born from a Shinigami’s soul, reflected their wielder’s spirit. Without fighting spirit, a Zanpakutō’s blade would dull. Of course, some masters could transcend this limitation, their mastery of their own souls allowing them to control their power at will.

Ichigo, however, wasn’t one of them. His strength stemmed from his emotions. His inner Hollow and Quincy powers responded to his emotional state, granting him the strength to achieve his goals when his emotions ran high. Without a clear objective, his power was significantly diminished. He rarely actively sought information about his opponents. He had charged into the Soul Society to save Shino Madarame without a plan. He had fought the Bount to protect others, not out of any personal vendetta. He reacted to situations, rather than planning for them.

Urahara found it strange that Ichigo was so interested in Ailin. He would have understood if Ichigo had asked about Aizen. Was there something about Ailin that he had missed, something that Ichigo’s instincts had picked up on?

Ichigo hesitated, then spoke, "Urahara, when you awakened my Shinigami powers, you severed the chain of fate connecting my soul to my body. You said there were only two outcomes: either I would find my Shinigami powers and become a Shinigami, or my chain of fate would be devoured, and I would become a Hollow. But... there was a third outcome. I not only found my Shinigami powers, but I also... awakened a Hollow within me."

"Ichigo..." Uryū murmured, concerned. He hadn’t realized the extent of Ichigo’s inner turmoil.

Ichigo nodded at Uryū, then continued. "I’m fine. I first encountered it during my fight against Gin Ichimaru, after achieving Bankai. I was no match for him. I thought I was going to die. Then... it appeared. It took control of my body and fought Gin. The second time was during my fight against the Bount with the metal Doll. I tried to use Bankai, but... Zangetsu didn’t respond. Then, it appeared again. But this time, I regained control quickly."

He looked down at his hands. "For a while, I was terrified of fighting. Every time I held Zangetsu, I could feel it... lurking within me, waiting for an opportunity to take over."

Uryū’s lips tightened into a thin line. He felt ashamed for not noticing his friend’s struggle.

Urahara’s eyes narrowed as he opened his fan, partially obscuring his face. He knew about Ichigo’s inner Hollow. He was, in a sense, responsible for its existence.

Twenty years ago, Aizen’s Hollow creation, White, had escaped to the World of the Living, pursued by Isshin Shiba.

During their battle, Aizen had intervened, severely injuring Isshin. Masaki Kurosaki, the last pure-blooded Quincy, had saved Isshin, using herself as bait to kill White. But White, created from a Shinigami’s reiatsu, possessed a corrosive power. With Urahara’s help, Isshin had used his own reiatsu to seal White’s influence, saving Masaki.

Three years later, Isshin and Masaki married. A year later, Ichigo was born.

Urahara had examined Ichigo as a baby. As the child of a Shinigami and a Quincy, Ichigo possessed both powers. And because of Masaki’s encounter with White, he also possessed Hollow powers.

After Masaki’s death, both her Quincy and Hollow powers had flowed into Ichigo.

Urahara had anticipated Ichigo’s Hollowfication when he awakened his Shinigami powers. But he wasn’t concerned. He had saved Shinji Hirako and the others from Hollowfication a century ago. His research had advanced considerably since then.

His goal wasn’t to suppress Ichigo’s Hollow, but to help him control it.

Based on his years of observing Ailin, Urahara believed that Ichigo might be the perfect successor, the one to inherit Ailin’s... legacy. But was that a good thing?

He looked at Ichigo.

Ichigo continued, "But when I met Captain Ailin. I felt... two conflicting things. The Hollow, usually so restless, became quiet... almost... afraid. And Old Man Zangetsu..." Ichigo’s expression was difficult to read. "He seemed... wary of Captain Ailin. He even told me that I should either kill him... or stay away from him."

Urahara’s eyes narrowed. Ichigo possessed Shinigami, Hollow, and Quincy powers. To suppress the Hollow, his Shinigami and Quincy powers had fused, creating a unique Zanpakutō spirit.

As a Quincy, Ichigo possessed an innate ability to control reishi. This was why he could wield a Zanpakutō without undergoing the usual training.

His Zangetsu was, in a sense, a Quincy bow. His Getsuga Tenshō, unlike Isshin’s, was essentially a Heilig Pfeil, a Quincy arrow formed from reishi.

Even his Final Getsuga Tenshō resembled the ultimate form of a Quincy using the Sanrei Glove, both resulting in a temporary loss of power.

While Urahara had theorized about Ichigo’s final form, he hadn’t shared his findings with Isshin. He couldn’t be certain if Ichigo’s path would cross with Aizen’s. Forcing Ichigo to take sides might hinder his development, turning him into a liability rather than an asset.

He had chosen to guide Ichigo, offering support and advice, but never forcing his hand. Perhaps this was why Ichigo, despite his suspicions, had come to him for answers.

"I understand," Urahara said.

"Based on your experience, Ichigo, I believe I’m starting to understand... certain things. But this knowledge isn’t for you yet. It would only confuse you. Let’s return to our previous topic. I’ll tell you about the Ailin I know..."

...

In the Fifth Division barracks, Ailin sat at his desk, mountains of paperwork piled before him.

The Fifth Division had been without a captain for over two weeks since Aizen’s defection. While Hinamori had done her best to maintain order, her lack of experience meant that many tasks had been left undone.

The recent Bount attack, which had left the Seireitei in ruins, had further exacerbated the situation. As the rescue squad, the Fifth Division had been stretched thin.

Hinamori returned from visiting her injured squad members in the Fourth Division. She paused at the doorway, watching Ailin work. The scene seemed... familiar.

"Ai..." she began, then stopped abruptly, clamping her hand over her mouth. Why had she almost called him "Aizen"?

Flustered, she knocked on the door. "Captain Ailin?"

Ailin looked up and smiled. "Hinamori. Come in. Have a seat. I’ll be with you as soon as I finish these reports."